Pink & Blue flowers for Mosaic Monday.

For Mosaic Monday with Judith this week
a collection of images

 taken on Saturday evening just as the sun was going down
 using my Kindle HDX

.

Many of these plants were already here when we moved into le Presbytere almost 19 years ago.

I had never seen a blue hibiscus until this beautiful shrub bloomed a year later.

This hortensia cannot decide if it wants to be blue, pink or purple.

No mistaking the colour of these specimens.

The photograph on the left shows the blue hibiscus growing alongside a pale pink hortensia.

Special effects, title, frames & collages provided by that clever little PicMonkey.

Linking to Mosaic Monday with Judith @

Houses, fences and gardens - oh my!

The small market town of Trévières in the Bessin region of Calvados boasts some wonderful examples of 18th c. homes built by wealthy merchants and farmers as outward displays of their prestige and position within the Commune.

Situated close to Omaha Beach Trévières is not only the place where I shop at the market on Friday mornings but also where I buy my bread, croissants and pâtisserie,  mail letters at La Poste, have my hair styled by my friseuse, browse for antiques and vintage items in the brocante and collect the latest issue of Campagne Decoration my favourite French magazine.

The town houses have wonderful wrought iron gates and fences.
These gates are all in one street, some shabby chic others newly painted but each one beautiful in their own way.

Linking to Good Fences #70

 hosted by TexWisGirl @ the Run*A*round Ranch report.

Normandy staycation

During the "summer" months we prefer to enjoy the delights that Normandy has to offer and save our more far flung travels for when the weather is not so good.

We like to take what we call "staycation days", visiting local beaches, exhibits and the like.

We always enjoy eating outdoors 

but sometimes even the best laid plans go awry

 and we end up drinking our coffee and nibbling on a croissant or two inside the car 

instead of on the beach.

Luckily the weather was fine yesterday

 and we were able to enjoy a delicious lunch of moules & frites 

at a popular seaside bistro.

Linking to Judith's Mosaic Monday @ Lavender Cottage.

God's Fence

In most small villages and towns in our region you will find a "calvaire", 

a monument erected by the inhabitants which depicts Christ's cruxifiction.

The calvaire above is situated by the roadside

in the tiny "hameau" (hamlet) of La Folie, Normandy.

 I particularly like the rustic fence of interlocked XXX at it's base.

Joining TexWisGirl @ Run*A*Round Ranch Report

for

Strawberries & cream

Once again this week I've been transfixed by Wimbledon 

which culminated yesterday with an amazing Men's Singles Final

 between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovik.

What better way to celebrate this incredible match 

than with the quintessential Wimbledon treat of strawberries and cream?

The strawberry tart came from our local patisserie and was the SP's choice.

I was in the mood for something a little fancier 

so quickly whipped up a glass of Eton Mess for my afternoon tea delight.

I couldn't resist adding a melt in the mouth raspberry macaron to my plate,

 well it was Wimbledon!

Eton Mess (traditionally served after an Eton College, Windsor cricket match)

 is the simplest dessert to make.

Simply wash & hull some ripe strawberries.

 Break up some light as a feather meringue into bite sized pieces.

Gently mix them together with whipped cream or creme fraiche et voila!

Joining Judith for Mosaic Monday 

@ Lavender Cottage.

Food shopping in the Marais.

Tamara @ Thyme For Tea launched the annual Paris in July event this week. 

For a very long time I was quite ambivalent towards Paris, 

as a Brit I couldn't really see what all the fuss was about, 

after all London is the capital of the world, n'est pas?

Hold on just a minute, I hear you cry! 

Arrêtez!

Since we came to live in the Calvados region of Normandy 

I have had the pleasure of visiting the City Of Light several times

 and have succumbed to her charms at last.

In 2010 the Senior Partner and I rented a charming apartment on Rue des Francs Bourgeois

 in the 4th. Arrondissement -  le Marais.

just steps away from the beautiful Place des Vosges.

First things first - breakfast and the SP is sent downstairs to bring back crusty baguettes,
crispy croissants and melt in the mouth pains au chocolat.

Can you imagine living above such an emporium of Epicurean delights?

After breakfast, time to "faire des courses" 

a mouthwatering selection of fruit and vegetables

found on the corner of Rue des Rosiers.

Schwartz's Delicatessen, 16 Rue des Ecouffes.

Shopping complete what better way to spend the morning is there

 than sitting at a pavement cafe watching the world go by?

Camille was a favourite of ours, 
 a wonderful bistro on the corner of Rue des Francs Bourgeois 
offering traditional dishes such as pot au feu.

Linking this post to 
Paris in July @ Thyme for Tea
 click on the sidebar button for more adventures in Paree.

à bientôt

wide open fences

wild, wind born colza a.k.a rapeseed seems to have taken over this empty field where horses once grazed

 In rural Normandy there's no shortage of fences as you can see 

even if a piece of ground is lying fallow there'll be a fence around it.

The ubiquitous hay bale seen through a plain post and rail fence

The driveway leading up to this equestrian facility has fields on either side.

It looked so picturesque that I trespassed inside, just a little, to capture these shots.

After taking my shots I turned around

 and on the opposite side of the road spotted this old piece of fencing

 almost completely hidden by the weeds and overgrown hedges.

and finally because I live in Calvados, home to the wonderful breed of Normandie cows,

a very important fence which keeps this young lady and all her girlfriends 

in their field and out of my back garden.

You can probably tell from my photos
 that I've been monkeying around with that PicMonkey gadget again this week.
Still not got the hang of it yet but it really is fun to play with!

Joining TexWisGirl  for

Good Fences @ The Run*A*Round Ranch Report.

summertime - raspberries & tea in the garden.

The lazy, hazy days of summer are finally here.

This week I've spent my afternoons glued to the television
watching amazing tennis being played at the
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon.

golden raspberries, so sweet I eat them straight from the canes

The heat is on, literally and figuratively.

Who will win the mens final

Andy Murray 

or

Roger Federer?

Today is Sunday so no play today.

Instead a chance to enjoy another of my summer time favourite things
tea in the garden, next to the potager which is thriving.

courgettes; parsley, chives & thyme; herbs & raspberry canes; mesclun salad leaves

How are you spending your afternoons now that summer's here?

Joining Judith @ Lavender Cottage
for Mosaic Monday

Percherons

I often stop to chat with this beautiful pair of white horses

whilst out walking with the SP and M'selle Fleur.

I think they are French Percherons.

The website of The Equine Society of France Percheron 

tells me that there are two types of Percherons.

The white e trait Percherons are used for heavy duty work on farms.

The black or dark grey e diligencier Percheron used more for recreational and sporting events.

Last Sunday I actually had my camera with me, 

they posed so artistically and seemed to enjoy the extra attention.

I think you'll agree they are simply stunning.

Joining TexWisGirl for Good Fences @ Run*A*Round Ranch Report

2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt - First Round Up.

with chief scavenger Rinda @ Gallo Organico
for the

 2015 summertime photography scavenger hunt

SCAVENGER HUNT LIST

1. A bouquet of flowers

2. An ornate door knocker

3. A person walking a dog (or other animal)

4. People playing a board game or card game

5. Architectural columns

6. A metal bridge

7. A turtle

8. Someone "plugged in" to social media 

9. A tent

10. A college or university

11. A cellular tower or television satellite dish

12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet

13. A merry-go-round or carousel

14. A traffic signal

15. A flag pole with at least three flags on it

16. A panoramic view, taken while standing someplace high in the air

17. At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms

18. An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle

19. A ticket booth

20. A natural body of water

21. A photograph of you with a sign reading "2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt". Note: you may not use a substitute for this item.

If you find something on the list too difficult, you may substitute one of the following items for any one item on the list, except for Item #21:

Alternative A: People eating outside

Alternative B: Someone holding an umbrella

Alternative C: A rocking chair

#3 person walking a dog

#15 a flag pole with at least 3 flags on it

#9 a tent

#18 cousin Colin's overloaded car ready for the return trip to UK

#2 & #5
ornate door knocker & architectural columns

#12 a public bathroom, restroom or toilet

# 20 body of water

#21

Linking through to

Mosiac Monday